Eriksson Backing Martyn To Shine

England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson has given a vote of confidence to Nigel Martyn, who will make his World Cup debut when he replaces David Seaman in the vital qualifier with Greece at Old Trafford tomorrow.

England manager Sven-G&ouml;ran Eriksson has given a vote of confidence to Nigel Martyn, who will make his World Cup debut when he replaces David Seaman in the vital qualifier with Greece at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Martyn, who has appeared in only three competitive matches for England, hasn't distinguished himself in recent internationals.

The Leeds goalkeeper was to blame for at least the opening goal in the 3-2 defeat by Romania in Charleroi during the Euro 2000 finals which sent England out of the competition.

The fault could also be laid at his door for possibly both goals in Holland's 2-0 win in a friendly international at White Hart Lane in August.

But Martyn is a certainty to face Greece, despite those blemishes, when he gets the nod ahead of Richard Wright and Ian Walker, called up from Leicester City as a late replacement for the injured Seaman.

"It is obviously disappointing for David that he will miss the final qualifying match against Greece," said Eriksson.

"However, we have other first-class goalkeepers in the squad in Nigel Martyn, Richard Wright and now Ian Walker.

"I'm confident that whoever we select to play against Greece will do an excellent job." England skipper David Beckham echoed Eriksson's sentiments and said: "I think Nigel Martyn is experienced enough to cope with whatever is thrown at him.

"We all know it's a big game but there's not extra pressure on Nigel or Richard Wright. It won't be a problem."

Meanwhile Beckham admitted he would realise his "childhood dream" if he led England to the World Cup finals on his home ground.

The Manchester United star is just 90 minutes away from achieving that ambition and completing a remarkable change around in England's fortunes in the last 12 months.

The midfielder is confident that England can dispose of the Greeks despite losing the 'spine' of their team in chief predator Michael Owen, central defender Sol Campbell and experienced keeper David Seaman.

And he also believes that, albeit in a minor way, a victory on Saturday will lift the spirits of the nation after the sadness that has been prevalent in the country since the terrorists attacks in America.

That England have their destiny in their own hands is a remarkable achievement given that it was 12 months ago this weekend they were at their lowest ebb after the home defeat by Germany.

That was followed by an unconvincing draw in Finland but, since the arrival of Eriksson, England have won their last five group matches to turn their fortunes around.

Beckham admitted: "For me personally there will be no better place to get through to the World Cup finals than at Old Trafford this weekend. "It will be a childhood dream for me, a Manchester United supporter all my life, to achieve that.

"But it will be an extra special time for me personally if, at the end of the game, we have also booked our place in the World Cup finals for next summer.

"I don't think I would have believed the dream would happen so quickly in terms of being England captain at only 26 but I am proud to lead out this team - which is a great team."

Beckham admitted: "Every game has been massive over these last few months because we have been playing catch-up in the group.

"After the Germany game at Wembley, everyone was talking about us not even making the qualifiers (play-offs).

"But we have done superbly to turn it around."

FORMER Newcastle star Peter Beardsley believes Kevin Keegan was never really given the applause he deserved as England manager.

Beardsley, such a focal point of the Keegan era at Newcastle, said: "There are only two additional players in the squad from the time Kevin was in charge - Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole.

"We've always had good players.

"It is only now that England are beginning to get a bit of luck and are winning games.

"The great thing with this squad is that they are mainly young players and David Beckham has been inspirational.

"That means they shouldn't have problem with fitness in the World Cup finals."

David Dunn is hoping to complete a dream scenario tonight by taking the England Under-21s a step nearer to European Championship glory following a nightmare start to the season.

Blackburn midfielder Dunn has shown remarkable tenacity in fighting his way back from a medial ligament knee injury sustained on the opening day.

Dunn will now lead out David Platt's Under-21 side for the make-or-break clash with Greece, with the added bonus of playing on his home ground of Ewood Park before a sell-out crowd of almost 30,000.

Said Dunn: "David Platt has been great because he called me up a few times while I was out injured and kept me informed about things, and that was really good of him."